Heat indicator for motor vehicles



April 1931. R. T. HURLEY 1,802,255

HEAT INDICATOR FOR MOTOR VEHICLES Filed June 29, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR /10 y Z" Hur/gy A ITORNEYS April 21, 1931. HURLEY 1,802,255

HEAT INDICATOR FOR MOTOR VEHICLES Filed June 29, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 flay Z Harvey A YTORNE Y6 .L INVENTOR Patented Apr. 21 1931 v UNITED STATES PATENT! oFFIcs v ROY T. HURLEY, or noBBs rnnnxnnw YORK, Assrenon, BY MESNE assIemvmn-rs, To ore METER canes & EQUIPMENT CORPORATION, or LONG ISLAND crrY, NEW

YORK, A CORPORATION .OF DELAWARE HEAT mnrcnron non. moronvnn cnns A ncau filed June 29,

The present invention relates to an improved combined radiator cap and motor heat indicating instrument which is so compact and so arranged that it may be given any type of ornamental form or'design in harmony with the lines, form or shape of the motor car to which it is to be applied.

The main object oithe present invention .is to provide a combined unit of the type described above with means for deflecting light from the exterior to the interior of the instrument so as to. illuminate its indicator.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will'be apparent from the folanother embodiment of the invention; and

of the radiator 3 of the motor vehicle. iswell known, the cooling liquid of the mo tor vehicle is circulatedby a pump or by lowing specification and the accompanying drawingswhich illustrate several 'embodi ments ofthe present invention} In the drawings:,

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of one form of the invention; 7

Fig. 2 is a partly broken plan view of the same embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 3 is a rear view of the same;

Fig. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of another embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 5 is a partly broken top View of the same; i p

Fig. 6 is a partly broken lateral view of Fig. 7 is a plan view of the same embodiment.

In Figure 1 the combinedcap and instrument 1 is shown as applied to the neck}? thermo-siphon action; being delivered from the water jackets (not shown) to the upper part of the radiator and being returned from the lower part "of the radiator after ithas been cooled therein to the lower part of the.

v portion of the radiator or in the neck. Un-- water jacket. When it is desired, to replenish the liquid in the cooling system, the cap .1 is removed from the neck and liquid is poured in. The level to which the liquid may normally'rise in the radiator is limited by the provision of an overflow pipe 4, which terminates in an open mouth in the upper der ordinary running conditions the water 1929. .Serial no. 374,720.

the operating mechanism therefor, and an outer shell unit 7 provided with a window and acting jointly with the inner shell to form a housing for the indicator mechanism. The neck 2 of the radiator maybe of any form desired and the manner of its engagemerit-with the combined unit 1 may be of any,

type desired.

In the present embodiment of the invention however, the neck 2 and the combined unit are provided with cooperating members for quickly and conveniently securing the combined unit in place'upon the radiator neck. For this purpose the neck 2- may be provided with downwardly extending flanges 11 al'ongthe inner edges thereof, these flanges being formed as cams for engagement with cooperating locking arms 12 of a locking me1nber 13 carried by and forming part of the inner shell assembly 6. The specific devices for attaching the combined unit 1 to the radiator or radiator neck, do not constitute a part of the" present invention and are merely illustrated toshow onemanner of mounting and attaching the combined unit which provides for correctorientation of the combined unit with relation to the radiator. It will be observed that the combined unit is so mounted on the radiator or radiator neck that the indicator faces rearwardly of the car so that it may be observed at all times by the opera,- tor of the vehicle.

The inner and outer shell units 6 and 7 form'the capproper and carry all of the indi' f mechanism and the operating mechaeating nism therefor.

Theinnershell member comprises a substantially circular body portion 14, an annular, downwardly extending, continuous flange 15, and a laterallyextending horizontalfiange 16,which is disposed only a short distance above-.the'top of the radiator The flange 16 may be provided with an annular raised portion 17 which forms a shoulder 18 designed as a stop and as a rest for the scale plate 19 of the indicator mechanism. The flange 15 is adapted to embrace the neck 2 and the body portion 14 of the inner shell unit 6 is adapted to rest upon a gasket ring 20 which is disposed between the shell unit 6 and the neck 2 so as to provide an effective sealing of the radiator opening. The body portion 14 of the inner shell unit is provided at the center thereof with an interiorly threaded boss 21 designed to receive the operating mechanism 22, which extends downwardly from the body portion 14 of the inner shell unit 6. While the operating mechanism of the heat indicating instrument may be of any type desired, in the form of the invention disclosed herein, the operating mechanism is of the type which results in a variable rotation of the shaft 23 in response to temperature variations of the cooling liquid. Associated with the operating mechanism 22 and fixedly mounted on the shaft 23, is the pointer 24 which extends horizontally from the shaft 23 and rearwardly of the instrument.

The outer end 25 of the pointer is turned downwardly and is adapted to move across the face of the arcuate scale plate 19 and in proximity thereto. Such movement of the pointer is imparted thereto by means of the operating mechanism 22 which rotates the shaft 23 in one direction as the temperature of the cooling liquid rises and in the opposite direction as the coolingtemperature falls. The portion 17 of the inner shell is provided with upstanding posts or projections 26, there being three of these posts in the illustrated embodiment. The outward faces of these posts are inclined and therefore serve to support the scale plate 19 in an inclined position. The scale plate is suitably secured to the inclined faces of the posts 26 by cement or in other desired manner. It will be observed that the pointer extends across the upper edge of the scale plate and that the down turned end 25 of the pointer lies in front of the scale plate and extends approximately parallel thereto. The scale plate or dial 19, is preferably made of celluloid or any other translucent material and if desired the down turned end 25 of the pointer and the index marks indicating the upper and lower limits of the safe operating range may be painted with a luminous paint. The present invention, however. embodies means for deflecting light from the exterior to the interior of the unit to illuminate the dial and if desired therefore, the luminous paint may be eliminated.

The outer shell unit 7 comprises a circular casing or shell member and is preferably so designed as to provide a closed chamber between the inner and outer shell units for housing the indicating mechanism, the outer shell 7 being also preferably so designed as to give the chamber a substantially wedge shaped longitudinal cross section. The combined unit is preferably so designed that the deeper portion of the chamber is disposed rearwardly where the indicating dial is placed. The outer shell 7 is assembled with the inner shell 6 by means of the screws 27.

The outer shell is provided at its rearward end With an upstanding wall 28 having a window opening 29. The wall 28 is preferably recessed internally for the reception of the window pane 30 which is formed as a segment of a frustum of a cone. The small retaining plates 31 overlie the inner faces of the ends of the window when they are clamped against the Window by screws 32 through the wall and into the plates 31 from the exterior of the wall.

In order to provide for the illumination of the dial 19, the combined unit carries an optical device for deflecting light from the exterior to the interior of the unit in the vicinity of the dial plate 19. The optical de vice-may take any one of a plurality of forms and may be designed so as to deflect light from the sky, from street lights, or from the head lights of on coming vehicles or from any other source.

For this purpose the outer shell 7 is pro vided with an opening 33 disposed immediately over the dial 19. An optical light defleeting device of any type desired is mounted in the opening 33. In the form shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, the optical device 3-1, is in the form of a triangular prism made of glass or quartz as may be desired and is retained in the opening 33 by means of the strips 35. The outer shell '7 is provided with a forwardly inclined plate 36 immediately adjacent to the opening 33. The plate 36 is provided with a lip 37, which cooperates with the strips 35 to retain the prism 34: in position. The plate 36 also serves as a reflecting backing for the prism 34. While the face 38 of the prism 34 is shown in Fig. 1 as disposed in a vertical position so that it may catch and deflect light fromon coming vehicles onto the dial plate 19, it is obvious that the face may be disposed at any angle desired so that it may serve to reflect both light from on coming vehicles and light from street lights or the sky, as the case may be.

In the embodiment of the invention as shown in Fig. 4, the essential difference resides in the fact that the deflecting prism 34' is mounted in such a manner that the light from exterior sources enters the prism through a horizontally disposed face and is then deflected interiorly of the combined unit and in back of the dial plate 19, which is made of celluloid or other translucent material.

This modifieation also embodies other structural changes among which are the position of the plate 36, which in this constructi'on is disposed interiorly of the combined unit. Another change resides in the fact that the pointer 24L is disposed below the dial 19. The supporting posts 26 which constitutea mounting forthe dial 1-9 are mount ed on the main body portion 14: of the inner shell. In otherrespects the construction and operation of the modification shown iii-Figs.

l and 5 is substantially identical with the modification shown in Fig. 1. It will be seen, therefore, that the form of the invention shown in Figs. 4 and 5 will deflect light from the sky or fronrstreet lights or thelilre.

posed to the light on oncoming vehicles. The

rear portion of the plate 4:0 is curved in the manner shown and projects into the opening 33" disposed immediately above the scale plate 19. It will be seen that in this form of the invention the scale plate 19 will be illuminated ,b li ht from on comin vehicles or from any other source which may 'im-- pinge upon the face 42 0f the optical de vice 40. 7

It will be seen fromthe above that the present invention shows a combined radiator cap and motor heat indicating unit which may be observed by the vehicle operator in the daytime as well as at night,the. combined unit being provided with light deflecting means to illuminate the scale plate. 1

While I have illustrated and descnbed in detail certain preferred forms of my invention, it is to be understood that changes may be made therein and the invention em bodied in other structures. I do not, there. fore, desire to limit myself to the specific constructions illustrated but intend to cover.v

my invention broadly in whatever form its principle may be utilized.

I claim: I 1; In a combined radiator cap and motor heat indicating instrument,- the combination of an inner shell member adapted tOffOIIIl a closure for the radiator neck,jan outer shell member cooperating therewith to form a chamber, an indicating dial in said cham ber carried by said inner shell member, operating mechanism carried by the inner shell member, and means carried by the outer shell member for deflecting light to illuminate the indicating dial. L 2. In a combined radlator cap and motor heat indicating instrument, the combination of an inner shell member adapted to form a closure for the radiator neck, an outer shell member cooperating therewith to form a chamber, an indicating dial in said cham= ber, operating mechanism carried by the inner shell member, and means carried by the outer shell member for deflecting light toil.- luminate the indicating dial. Y 7

Y 3. In a combined radiator cap and motor.

heat indicating instrument, the. combination of a-n inner shellmember adapted to form a closure for the radiator neck, an outer shell member cooperating therewith to form a chamber, an indicating dial in said chamber and means carried by the outer shell for defleeting light from the exterior to the interior of the chamber to illuminate the indicating dial.

heat indicating instrument, the combination of a chamber-adapted to form a closure for the radiator ne'ck, indicatingmechanism dis.-

posedwithinsaid chamber, a window in a.

lateral face of said chamber permitting observation of the indicator, and means mounted on an outer wall of said chamber for deflecting light from the exterior .of saidchamber to illuminate the indicating mechanism.

5. In a combined radiator cap and motor ieat indicating instrument, the combination of a chamber having its bottom adapted to. form a closure for the radiator neck, a scale plate and pointer disposed within said chamber, a window in said chamber permitting the observationof said scale-and pointer, and means mounted onxan outer wall of said chamberfor deflecting :light' from the ex terior-of-said chamberto illuminate the di'cating mechanism. 6. In a combined heat indicating unit, a chamber wedge shaped in longitudinal section, adapted toforma closure for a radiator opening and adapted to be mountedion a radiator opening with its greater height facing the rear of the vehicle, a scale plate disposed within the chamher in the rear portion thereof, a window pane in said chamber permitting the .obser-" vation of thescale plate, and -I'neans carried by said chamber for deflecting" light from the exterior of said chamber to illuminate the scale plate.

7. In acombined radiator cap and motor. heat-indicating instrument, the combination of an inner'shell member'adapted to form a closure for the radiator neck, an 101N361 shell member cooperating therewith to form a chamber, an indicating dial in saidchamber, said outer shell having an aperture in the top and :means mounted in said aperture-for dew fleeting light from the exterior to the interior of the chamber to illuminate theindieating dial. 7

8. In a combined radiator cap and motor heat indicatinginstrument, the combination 4. In a combined radiator cap and motor radiator cap and motor 7 of an inner shell member adapted to form a closure for the radiator neck, an outer shell member cooperating therewith to form a chamber, an indicating dial in said chamber, said outer shell having an aperture adjacent the indicating dial, and means mounted in said aperture for deflecting light from the exterior to the interior of the chamber to illuminate the indicating dial.

9; In a combined radiator cap and motor heat indicating instrument, the combination of an inner shell member adapted to form a closure for the radiator neck, an outer shell member cooperating therewith to form a chamber, a translucent indicating dial in said chamber, said outer shell having an aperture adjacent the dial, and means mounted in said aperture for deflecting light from the exterior to the interior of said chamber to illuminate the dial.

10. In a combined radiator cap and motor heat indicating instrument, the combination of an inner shell member adapted to form a closure for the radiator neck, an outer shell member cooperating therewith to form a chamber, an indicating dial in said chamber, said outer shell having an aperture adjacent the indicating dial, an inclined metallic plate adjacent said aperture, and an optical prism held in said aperture against said plate for deflecting light from the exterior to the interior of said chamber to illuminate the dial.

11. An ornament support-ing radiator cap, wedge-shaped in longitudinal section, and provided with a chamber in the thicker portion thereof, temperature responsive mechanism carried by the cap for exposure to temperature conditions within the radiator, indicating mechanism in said chamber op erated by the temperature responsive mechanism, a window in the thicker side of the cap covering the operative range of said indicating mechanism, and means embodied within said cap for deflecting light from the exterior to the interior of the chamber to illuminate the indicating mechanism.

12. The combination with a cap-like member, for mounting on an automobile radiator, having a finished upper exterior surface adapted to be ornamented or to bear ornamentation devices as customarily employed on automobiles, of indicating mechanism, automatically responsive to'changing operating conditions, said mechanism being cooperatively associated with said cap-like member, and having peripherally observable indicator means arranged below said finished upper surface to obviate projections or obstructions above said surface, said indicator means comprising a fixed scale plate and a pointer cooperative therewith, and means embodied within said cap-like member for deflecting light from the exterior to the interior of said cap-like member to illuminate the said indicator means.

13. The combination with a ca -like member, for mounting on an automobile radiator, having a finished upper exterior surface adapted to be ornamented or to bear ornamentation devices as customarily employed on automobiles, of indicating mechanism, automatically responsive to changing operating conditions, said mechanism being coop eratively associated with said cap-like member, and having peripherally observable indicator means arranged below said finished upper surface to obviate projections or obstructions above said surface, said finished upper exterior surface being of less height at the center than at the front thereof, a window pane carried by said cap-like member at the front thereof through which the indicator means may be seen, and means embodied within said cap-like member for detlectin light from the exterior to the interior of sai cap-like member to illuminate the said indicator means.

14. The combination with a radiator of an automobile, said radiator having a filler spout at the top thereof, of a motor heat indicator mounted on said spout and having a thermally responsive element project-ing into said spout, indicating means controlled thereby readable from the drivers seat of the automobile, said indicating instrument being formed to provide a cap for said spout sealing the same against leakage and having parts formed to enclose and substantially conceal said spout, said parts extending into proximity to the outer surface of the radiator, and means embodied within said caplike member for deflecting light from the exterior to the interior of said cap-like memher to illuminate the said indicator means.

15. In a combined radiator cap and motor heat indicating instrument, the combination of an inner shell member adapted to form a closure for the radiator neck, an outer shell member cooperating therewith to form a chamber, an indicating dial in said chamber, said outer shell having an aperture adjacent the indicating dial, an inclined metallic plate adjacent said aperture, and an optical prism held in said aperture against said plate for deflecting light from the exterior to the interior of said chamber to illuminate the dial, said prism having one face exposed to impinging light and another face disposed within said aperture.

16. In a combined radiator cap and motor heat indicating instrument, the combination of, an inner shell member adapted to form a closure for the radiator neck, an outer shell member cooperating therewith to form a chamber, an indicating dial in said chamber, said outer shell having an aperture adjacent the indicating dial, a body of translucent material mounted on said outer shell and having one face exposed to the light of on coming vehicles, and having another face disposed of, an inner shell member adapted to form a closure for the radiator neck, an outer shell member cooperating therewith to form a chamber, an indicating dial in said chamber, said outer shell having an aperture adjacent the indicating dial, an inclined r metallic plate extending upwardly and forwardly adjacent said aperture, and an optical prism held in said aperture against said plate for deflecting light from the exterior to the interior of said chamber to illuminate the dial. 18. In a combined radiator cap and motor heat indicating instrument, the combination of, an inner shell member adapted to form a closure for the radiator neck, an outer shell member cooperating therewith to form a chamber, anindicating dial in said chamber, said outer shell having an aperture adjacent the indicating dial, an inclined metallic plate extending downwardly and rearwardly adjacent said aperture, and an optical prism held in said aperture against said plate for deflecting light from the exterior to the interior of said chamber to illuminate the dial.

19. In a combined radiator cap and motor heat indicating instrument, the combination of, an inner shell member adapted to form a closure for the radiator neck, an outer shell member cooperating therewith to form a chamber, an indicating dial in said chamber, said outer shell having an aperture adjacent the indicating dial, a plate of translucent 7 material mounted on said outer shell and having its forward edge exposed to the light of on coming vehicles, and having its rear portion disposed within said aperture to defiect said light to the interior of the chamber to illuminate the dial.

20. In a combined radiator cap and motor heat indicating instrument, the combination of, an inner shell member adapted to form a closure for the radiator neck, an outer shell member cooperating therewith to form a chamber, an indicating dial in said chamber, said outer shell having an aperture adjacent the indicatingdial, an inclined metallic plate extending downwardly and rearwardly ad jacent said aperture, and an optical prism held in said aperture against said plate for deflecting light from the exterior to the interior of said chamber to illuminate the dial and a metallic cover for said plate.

In testimony whereof I have aflixed my 7 signature to this specification. ROY T. HURLEY. 

